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Jackson Co. man charged with pointing gun at deputy awaiting trial

Harry November 18, 2024

A Jackson County man accused of pointing a gun at a sheriff’s deputy after fleeing on a lawn mower has been ordered to stand trial, authorities said.

James Mitchell Kerr III, 41, of Leoni Township, was charged last month with assault with intent to murder, use of a firearm during the commission of a felony and resisting an officer, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.

Last Wednesday, a district court judge arraigned Kerr for trial in Jackson County Circuit Court, the sheriff’s office said.

If convicted, he faces life in prison for the assault charge, up to two years in prison for the firearms charge and up to two years in prison for resisting an officer.

Kerr’s attorney was not immediately available for comment Monday.

Authorities said the charges against him stemmed from the Sept. 19 incident.

Police said a sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to Kerr’s home in Leoni County to arrest him for violating the terms of his probation and two misdemeanor warrants. Kerr has been accused of multiple crimes in the past, including drug possession and receiving stolen property, according to court records.

When the deputy arrived at the home, he found Kerr on the lawnmower, authorities said. He ordered Kerr to exit the machine, but the defendant refused to comply.

Investigators said Kerr stepped on the accelerator of the lawn mower to escape from the deputy. The officer chased after Kerr until he drove the lawnmower into a small ditch.

The sheriff’s deputy pulled out a stun gun and warned Kerr that he would activate the device if he did not comply with his commands, authorities said.

However, police allege Kerr ignored the deputy’s commands, got out of the machine and began walking away. The suspect then allegedly returned to the lawnmower, pulled out a concealed handgun and then pointed it at the deputy.

Detectives said the deputy used the stun gun to attack Kerr.

The electric shock caused Kerr to fire the gun and shoot himself in the hand, authorities said.

Additional deputies arrived and arrested Kerr before he was taken to the hospital, authorities said. After treatment, Kerr was sent to the county jail.

Due to the circumstances surrounding the incident, the sheriff’s office asked the Michigan State Police to investigate the shooting. The sheriff’s office also conducted an internal investigation.

An internal investigation found no policy violations, officials said.

The incident is the latest example of suspects attacking police officers during an arrest in Metro Detroit.

Last month a man in Highland Park He fired a gun at a Center Line police officer and deliberately crashed into a police car while fleeing the scene of a home invasion.

Three people were arrested weeks ago Fight with Livingston County sheriff’s deputies At the grand opening of Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken restaurant in Hartland.

A Farmington Hills man barricaded himself in his home in September police officers opened fire.

A. Parolee shot and killed Melvindale police officer Mohamed Said during a fight near a car wash in July.

One month ago, Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy Bradley Reckling He was fatally shot while pursuing a stolen car in Detroit. Three 18-year-olds were charged in connection with her death in October.

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@CharlesERamirez